JP2003030973A - Structure of system information, equipment with guidance, and control part thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide equipment having guidance which provides information providing misoperation that a user performs for the user in such a case. SOLUTION: The equipment 2 with guidance is equipped with an operation part 21, a control part 22, a system information storage part 23, an equipment function part 24, an equipment management part 25, and a display part 25, and when control information 231, corresponding to identification information 211 on a function of the equipment that the user 1 selects, is inputted and an equipment function part 24 is controlled with the control information 231, control over the equipment function part 24 is stopped, if inadequate control is detected according to condition information 232, which is inputted at the same time with the control information 231, so that explanation information 233 corresponding to the identification information 211 is extracted and presented through a display part 26.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a means for explaining a method of handling equipment, and in particular, uses a correct operation method from a computerized instruction for each operation method when the equipment is operated incorrectly. The present invention relates to a means that can be displayed by directly interlocking with a user's operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, handling explanations have been made by printed matter, but recently, many documents are electronically documented, especially in the field of software, and in some cases, when a keyword in the explanation document is selected. An example of how to use it and a screen for setting can be started.

However, in hardware, such as video cassette recorders, AV equipment, and personal computers, most of the handling methods are printed matters, and if an erroneous operation is performed, refer to the printed matter. You need to find a place to do it.

However, if the instruction manual is a printed matter, the user of the device reads the text and searches for a function corresponding to the description on the operation panel of the device, and directly operates this to remove the obstacle caused by an erroneous operation. It is very cumbersome to go, and if such a thing is repeated, an erroneous operation until learning may lead to a failure of the device.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to correct an erroneous operation when a user is operating the device. The information is provided by the device itself to the user.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention describes control information for operating a device, identification information corresponding to this control information, and a device described including the identification information. The system information in which the three pieces of handling explanation information are associated with each other is described in the data description language, the control information is extracted from the system information by the identification information, and the control unit that detects that the control is inappropriate and the system information are also used. A device management section that extracts explanation information based on identification information,
A display unit that displays the extracted explanation information and a control panel that the user operates to use the function of the device and that conveys identification information corresponding to the function selected by this operation to the control unit.

[0007]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, details of a device with guidance according to the present invention will be described with reference to the illustrated embodiments.

First Embodiment The concept of the configuration of the guidance-equipped device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, which is exemplified by a video cassette recorder (VCR), will be described with reference to FIG.
In this embodiment, a video cassette recorder is assumed as a device, and when the user operates the VCR from the VCR operation unit to select various functions that the VCR has such as reproduction, recording, and pause, the operation is inappropriate. This is an example in which the explanation information of each function is displayed on the explanation output unit when it is determined that the above is true.

The video cassette recorder 2 according to this embodiment includes a VCR operating section 21, a VCR control section 22, a system information storage section 23, a VCR function section 24, and a VCR.
The management unit 25 and the explanation output unit 26 are provided.

The video cassette recorder 2 is a VCR having a guidance function according to the present invention.

The VCR operation unit 21 is operated by the user 1 11
Is an operating means for selecting each function of the VCR 2 and outputs the identification information 211 to the VCR control unit 22 in accordance with the operated function.

The VCR control section 22 is means for controlling the operation of each section of the VCR 2, and when receiving the identification information 211 from the VCR operation section 21, the VCR control information 231 corresponding to the contents of the identification information 211 from the system information storage section 23. And V
The CR control condition 232 is extracted, and the sensor output 241 obtained from the VCR function unit 24 and the previous VCR control condition 232.
When it is confirmed that the selection of the function indicated by the identification information 211 is not inappropriate, the above VCR control information 231 is set to VC.
When the output is output to the R function unit 24, and conversely it is detected to be inappropriate, the control to the VCR function unit 24 is stopped, and instead, the identification information 211 is displayed to indicate that this inappropriate operation was performed. It is means for outputting to a VCR device function unit 25 described later, and further outputting an alarm sound 225 to the user 1 if necessary.

That is, the VCR control unit 22 is a control unit for controlling the function of the device, and a function (information retrieval unit) for receiving the identification information 211 corresponding to the function of the device from the outside.
221, a control information 231 for externally controlling the function of the device based on the identification information, and a function (information retrieval unit) 221 for fetching condition information 232 indicating a precondition for performing control by the control information. , A function (condition determination unit) 222 for detecting whether control by the control information is inappropriate based on the condition information, and a function for recording the number of times the inappropriate control is performed (error number determination unit ) 223, the control information is fetched when the cumulative number of times the same inappropriate control reaches a certain number or more or when the same inappropriate control is continuously detected a certain number of times or more. It has a function of outputting the identification information 211 used for that purpose to the outside.

The system information storage section 23 is an explanation for explaining to the user 1 the VCR control information 231 and VCR control conditions 232 which are information necessary for controlling each function of the VCR 2 and how to use each function. The information 233 can be retrieved by the identification information 211 so that the XML (Ex
The system information 4 described below is stored in association with each other in a data description language such as tensible Markup Language).

The VCR function section 24 is composed of a loading mechanism, a sensor, a motor, etc. for the video tape 3 necessary for actually operating various functions of the VCR 2, and determines whether or not the video tape 3 is inserted. Each operating state is output to the VCR controller 22 as a sensor output 241.

The VCR device management section 25 includes a VCR control section 2
2 receives the identification information 211 from the system information storage unit 23, the explanation information 23 corresponding to the identification information 211.
3 is taken out and presented to the user by using the explanation output unit 26.

The explanation output unit 26 is means for presenting to the user 1 the data such as characters, photographs and voices described in the explanation information 233.

A more specific structure of the VCR operation unit 21 will be described with reference to FIG. The VCR operation unit 21 includes a reproduction button 214 for reproduction and a record button 215 for recording.
V with a pause button 216 to temporarily stop operation
An operation panel 212 for operating the CR2 and an operation control unit 213 are included. The operation control unit 213
Since the user 1 has a function of outputting the identification information 211 corresponding to each button when the user operates the above buttons, the content of the identification information 211 is, for example, when the reproduction button is operated, as will be described later. "PLAY", "REC" for the record button, and "PAUSE" for the pause button. The identification information 211 is the VCR control unit 2
2 and data used by the VCR device management unit 25 as heading information for extracting necessary information from the system information 4 stored using the data description language.

A more specific structure of the VCR controller 22 will be described with reference to FIG. The VCR control unit 22 and the information search unit 221. The condition determination unit 222 and the error count determination unit 22
3 and 3.

The VCR control section 221 receives the identification information 211, and utilizes this to retrieve the identification information 211 from the system information 4 stored in the system information storage section 23.
Is a means for extracting the VCR control information 231 and the VCR control condition 232 according to the contents of the above, and the extracted result is output to the condition determination unit 222 together with the identification information 211.

The condition judging section 222 is provided with the VCR control information 23.
1 and the VCR control condition 232 and the sensor output 241 from the VCR function unit 24, and is a means for determining whether or not the sensor output 241 satisfies the operation condition of the function defined by the VCR control condition 232. If it is satisfied, it is determined that an appropriate operation has been performed, and the VCR control information 231 is output to the VCR function unit 24. If it is not satisfied, it is determined that an inappropriate operation has been performed, and error information 224 is set as the error count. It outputs to the determination unit 223.

The error number determination unit 223 is a condition determination unit 2
22 is a means for counting the number of times of the error information 224 output by 22 and determining whether or not the total number exceeds a preset number. When the total number exceeds the preset number, the information The identification information 211 output from the search unit 221 is output to the VCR device management unit 25, and if the set number of times has not been exceeded, an alarm sound 225 notifies the user that an error has occurred.

An example of the configuration of the system information 4 stored in the system information storage unit 23 will be described with reference to FIG. The system information includes control information for operating the function of the device, condition information describing a condition that is a precondition for control by the control information, descriptive information for correctly handling the function of the device, and the control information. It has a structure including identification information associated with the explanation information in a data description language.

The system information 4 is data layered corresponding to the identification information 211, for example, reproduction information 41 =
“PLAY”, recording information = “REC”, primary stop information 4
3 = “PAUSE” is stored. Below each information, control information for operating the function of the device,
It stores control conditions that describe conditions on which control is based on control information, and explanatory information for correctly handling the functions of devices.

For example, when the user 1 selects the play button 214, the operation control section 213 outputs the identification information 211 "PLAY", so that the system information 4 also includes the information search 221 corresponding to the identification information 211. The heading information “PLAY” is the reproduction information 4 so that the search can be performed.
1 is stored below this, and a series of information related to when the play button is pressed, that is, reproduction control information 411, reproduction control conditions 412, and reproduction explanation information 413 are stored. The reproduction control information 411 stores not only the control of each mechanism for reproducing a tape, but also the display of status information during reproduction, the output control of a video signal to another external device, and the information related to the reproduction. Has been done.
Further, the reproduction control condition 412 describes output information of the sensor output 241 in a normal state, which is necessary for determining whether the VCR function unit 24 can normally operate with the given VCR control information 231. . Furthermore, reproduction explanation information 4
Reference numeral 13 describes an explanation document to be displayed on the explanation output unit 26 and related charts and sounds when the VCR device management unit 25 receives the identification information 211.

The record button 215 and the pause button 216
Similarly, the control information, the condition information, and the explanation information are also stored for, and these can be searched and retrieved using the identification information 211.

When the user 1 operates the play button while the video tape 3 is not inserted in the VCR function unit 24, the user 1 does not notice this, and the user 1 repeatedly tries the reproduction operation. FIG. 5 shows a display example in which the explanation output unit 26 performs a display explaining the insertion and operation method of the tape 3.

The operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, it is assumed that the user 1 is trying to reproduce the recorded cassette tape, but the video tape 3 is not yet inserted in the VCR 2.

It is assumed that the user 1 inserts the video tape 3 after turning on the power switch of the VCR 2 and activating the VCR 2, but does not notice that the video tape 3 is incompletely inserted here. . User 1 in this state
However, when the playback button 214 is selected and playback is attempted, the operation control unit 213 that detects that the raw button 214 is selected sends the identification information 211 to the VCR control unit 22. At this time, the content of the identification information 211 is "PLAY".

Next, the information retrieval section 2 of the VCR control section 22.
21 uses the received identification information 211 to discover the reproduction information 41 whose headline information is “PLAY” from the system information 4 stored in the system information storage unit 23,
The reproduction control information 411 and the reproduction control condition 412, which are connected to the lower hierarchy, are taken out as the VCR control information 231 and the VCR control condition 232. Further, the condition determination unit 222 of the VCR control unit 22 detects the content of the VCR control condition 232 and the sensor output 24 sent from the VCR function unit 24.
1 is compared to check whether the VCR function unit 24 is in an appropriate state for performing the reproducing operation.

As a result, since the user 1 has made the insertion of the video tape 3 incomplete as described above, the condition judging section 222 detects this defect. Then, the condition determination unit 222 stops the transmission of the VCR control information 231 to the VCR function unit 24, while transmitting the error information 224 to the error number determination unit 223.

Upon receiving the error information 224, the error number determination unit 223 counts the number of times this error has occurred, and if it determines that the number has reached a preset number, the identification information 211 is transmitted to the VCR device management unit 25. If the number of error occurrences has not reached the set number, an alarm sound 225 to the extent that an error has occurred is output and the user 1 is warned.

However, the user 1 still plays the play button 21.
When 4 is repeatedly selected, the error information 224 is transmitted to the error number determination unit 223 a predetermined number of times or more, and as a result, the error number determination unit 223 outputs the identification information 211 to the VCR device management unit 25.

Upon receipt of the identification information 211 from the VCR control unit 22, the VCR device management unit 25 operates in the system information storage unit 2
From the system information 4 stored in 3
The reproduction information 41 that is “AY” is searched, and the reproduction explanation information 413 in the layer below it is extracted as the explanation information 233. The extracted explanation information 233 is input to the explanation output unit 26, and a sentence or an image explaining the handling method included in the explanation information 233 is presented to the user 1 (see FIG. 5).

Then, when the user 1 who has read the presented explanation information inserts the video tape 3 again according to the explanation and presses the play button, this time there is no problem in the sensor output 241, so that the condition judging unit 222 , VCR control information 23
1 is output to the VCR function unit 24. VCR function unit 24
When the control information is received, the VCR function is operated with the contents described in this information, and in this example, the image reproduced from the tape is displayed. Further, the value counted by the error number determination unit 223 is reset to the initial value by performing the correct operation as described above.

That is, the error number determination unit 223 records the number of times the improper control is performed, and the number of times reaches a certain number, or the same improper control is continuously performed more than the certain number of times. When it reaches, the function of outputting the identification information 211 used for fetching the VCR control information 231 to the outside has a learning function, and according to the time from the time when the function of the device is started to be used by the learning function or the frequency of use, The threshold value of the number of times until error detection can be set to be changed.

By performing the processing as in this embodiment, the user 1 can quickly and correctly know how to handle even if the usage of the device is incorrect. In addition, when an incorrect operation is performed as in this embodiment, the explanation information is displayed by repeating the same error a plurality of times, without the annoyance that the explanation information is displayed with only one error, Improves usability.

Although not described with reference to the drawings, the VCR
By providing the error number determination unit 223 of the control unit 22 with a function of measuring the frequency of use of each button corresponding to each operation button or the time after purchasing the VCR 2, even if an error occurs in the same operation. When the button is used for the first time, the explanation information is displayed with the first error, and even if an error is caused by the same button operation, the reference frequency for error determination increases as the usage frequency and time elapse. , It is possible to provide a device with guidance according to the user's proficiency level.

In other words, the error count determination unit 223 has a smaller value as the threshold of the learning function is a function of the device that has just started to be used, and the threshold value increases as the frequency of using the function of the same device increases. It can be set to change to increase.

Although not shown in the figure, the user 1 uses the VCR 2
VCR operation unit 21 and VCR
When the control unit 22 and the system information storage unit 23 are made operable, the button operation performed by the user has not been started yet, and thus any of them can be detected as an inappropriate operation. Therefore,
When each button operation is performed in a state where the VCR is not activated, the VCR control unit 22 first activates the VCR 2 by taking control information for activation from the system information 4 so that the VCR 2 is activated in a normal procedure. By displaying the explanation information for the button operated thereafter, the usability can be improved even for a user who is not familiar with the operating method for activation.

If power is supplied to at least the control unit and the operation unit, it is possible to notify that the user has performed an inappropriate operation even before the user starts the device by a normal operation. As described above, when the control unit fetches the inappropriate control information, the control unit detects that the control is inappropriate and automatically performs a control corresponding to a normal start operation, and further informs the user. The device with guidance according to claim 3, further comprising a function of presenting a correct operation method on the display unit.

Further, in this embodiment, the operation of the VCR 2 is directly performed by the VCR operating section 21 built in the VCR main body, but the same operation is performed by the remote controller or the portable telephone configured to remotely operate the VCR 2. Even if
By transmitting the explanation information 233 displayed on the explanation output unit 26 to the remote controller or the mobile phone by using a communication means such as wireless, it is possible to provide the user with the same usability as that described in this embodiment.

As described above, in this embodiment, the system information storage unit (information storage unit) 23 for storing the stem information 4 having the structure shown in FIG. 4 and the VCR control unit (control unit) shown in FIG. ) 22, a VCR function unit (device function unit) 24 controlled by the control unit 22 to provide various functions to the user, a function for the user to select various functions of the device function unit 24, and the selection. Then, the identification information 2 corresponding to the function
VCR operation unit (operation unit) 21 that generates 11 and the identification information 211 from the control unit 22 and retrieves the explanation information 233 corresponding to the identification information 211 from the system information 4
CR device management unit (device management unit) 25 and device management unit 25
And an explanation output unit (display unit) 26 for presenting the explanation information 233 extracted by the user to the operation unit 2
When the function of the device is selected and operated from 1, the identification information 211 corresponding to the selected function is input to the control unit 22 by the operation, and the control unit 22 inputs the VCR control information (control information) corresponding to the input identification information 211. ) When 231 is fetched from the system information 4 and the device function unit 24 is controlled by the control information 231, the control unit determines that the control is inappropriate based on the condition information 232 fetched at the same time when the control information 231 is fetched. When 22 detects the cumulative number of times more than a certain number of times or continuously detects more than a certain number of times, the control to the device function unit 24 is stopped in order to prevent damage due to a user's operation, performance degradation, and increase in power consumption. Further, the identification information 211 is output to the device management unit 25, and the device management unit 25 automatically describes the explanation information 2 corresponding to the identification information 211.
By taking out 33 from the system information 4 and presenting the explanation information 233 on the display unit 26, it is possible to notify the user that an inappropriate operation has been performed and to present a correct operation method.

<Second Embodiment> A conceptual configuration of an apparatus with guidance according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, a video cassette recorder is assumed as the device as in the first embodiment, but when the user 1 operates the VCR from the VCR operation unit 21, the function corresponding to this operation fails. This is an example in which the system information 4 is configured so as to explain the countermeasure, and the result explanation output unit 26 displays the countermeasure information.

In the figure, however, parts equivalent to those in the previous embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted to avoid duplication.

In FIG. 6, the operation by each button of the VCR operation unit 21 and the operation by the same are the same as those in the first embodiment, but in this embodiment, the VCR control unit 22 controls the VCR control condition in the system information 4. 232 and sensor output 24
It has a function of obtaining 1 and detecting that a failure occurs in a specific function. When the VCR control unit 22 detects a failure, the VCR control unit 22 outputs an index, which will be described later, corresponding to the failure as failure information 226 to the VCR device management unit 25 together with the identification information 211. When the VCR device management unit 25 receives the failure information 226 and the identification information 211, the identification information 211 is used as the index information from the system information storage unit 23 to take in the countermeasure information 234 corresponding to the failure information 226, and the explanation information is output. It is output to the unit 26.

A configuration example of the system information 4 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the system information 4, as in the first embodiment, data hierarchically divided corresponding to the identification information 211, for example, reproduction information 41 = “PLAY”, recording information = “REC”, primary stop information 43 = “ PAUS
“E” is stored. In the lower layer of each information, countermeasure information is stored in addition to control information, control condition, explanation information, respectively.

The control conditions under the heading of each function are:
The sensor name of the functional unit and the sensor value during normal operation are
It is described with an index (ID). For example, the reproduction control condition 412 describes normal values for four types of sensors. Also, in the reproduction countermeasure information 414, a concrete corresponding method is described so as to correspond to the above index,
For example, the reproduction countermeasure information 414 also describes concrete countermeasures with four indexes so as to correspond to the reproduction control condition 412. Therefore, for example, during reproduction, the VCR control unit 22 compares the sensor output 241 with the reproduction control condition 412, and when insufficient rotation of the motor is detected, the index at this time is “1”, and therefore the countermeasure information for this failure is provided. Is "1: head cleaning" in the reproduction countermeasure information 414
Becomes

That is, this system information 4 is the control information 411, 421, 43 for operating the functions of the equipment.
1, identification information 41, 42, 43 associated with the control information in a data description language, and countermeasure information 414, 424, 43 for explaining how to handle a malfunction of the device.
4 and a failure information ID associated with the countermeasure information in a data description language.

The operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. Here, the user 1 has already copied the video tape 3 to the V
It is assumed that the user inserts it correctly in the insertion opening of CR2 and then the user 1 selects the play button 214. The VCR controller 2
A series of operations up to the point where 2 acquires the system information 4 according to the identification information 211 is the same as in the first embodiment.

Now, when the VCR control unit 22 tries to start the control of the VCR function unit 24 by the VCR control information 231, the reproduction control condition 412 and the sensor output 24 are set.
If it is detected that the signal level is abnormal due to 1, the VCR control unit 22 displays this as "3: insufficient signal level".
Since it corresponds to, the index “3” is set as the failure information 2
26 to the VCR device management unit 25. Then
When the VCR device management unit 25 receives the failure information 226,
Using this and the identification information 211, the system information storage unit 23
“Head cleaning” is obtained as the countermeasure information 234 from the reproduction countermeasure information 414 of the system information 4 stored in the, and the explanation output unit 26 presents this to the user 1.

That is, the VCR control section 22 is a control section for controlling the function of the equipment, and the function of receiving the identification information 211 corresponding to the function of the equipment from the outside and the identification information 21.
VC for externally controlling the function of the device based on 1.
R control information (control information) 231 and a function of taking in VCR control condition (condition information) 232 indicating a precondition for performing control by the control information 231 and a function of receiving sensor information 241 from the outside and receiving the sensor information 241 and the condition. Information 232
And a function of determining that the control based on the control information 231 is not normally performed due to a failure of the device, and a function of outputting failure information 226 indicating the failure to the outside.

By performing the processing as in this embodiment, even if a failure such as a failure occurs in the device, the user 1 can quickly know how to deal with the failure. Although the countermeasure information 234 is simply “head cleaning” in this embodiment, it is clear that images and sounds can be used as in the explanation information 233 of the first embodiment.

<Third Embodiment> A conceptual configuration of a guidance-provided device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, a vacuum cleaner is taken as an example of a device with guidance, and the cleaner 5 with guidance is used.
Is connected to a control system 6 provided in a network such as a home network via communication means.
The vacuum cleaner 5 has a vacuum cleaner operation unit 51 for a user to operate.
And a vacuum cleaner function unit 52 and a remote communication unit 53 for connecting to a network such as a home network, and an explanation output for presenting the system information in the first and second embodiments and the explanation information to the user. It is assumed that the unit is provided in the home control system 6 connected by the network. In the figure, the same parts as those in the previous embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted to avoid duplication.

In FIG. 8, the vacuum cleaner 5 comprises a vacuum cleaner operation unit 51, a vacuum cleaner function unit 52, and a remote communication unit 53, which will be described later. Furthermore, a filter 7 for storing dust
Is attached to the cleaner function part 52 of the cleaner 5.

The vacuum cleaner operation unit 51 is an operation unit for the user 1 to operate various functions of the vacuum cleaner 5, and the operation of the user 1 is identified as identification information 511 via the remote communication unit 53. It is output to the control system 6.

The cleaner function unit 52 is composed of the motor of the cleaner 5 and various sensors, and outputs the sensor output 521 indicating the condition of the cleaner function to the home control system 6 via the remote communication unit 53. The cleaner control information 235 from the home control system 6 is received, and a motor etc. are controlled according to it.

The remote communication section 53 connects the cleaner 5 to the home control system 6 via the network, and the identification information 5
11 and the sensor output 521 and the cleaner control information 235 are input and output.

The home control system 6 comprises a system information storage unit 23, an explanation output unit 26, a remote control unit 61, a remote device management unit 62, and a remote communication unit 63. The home control system 6 is a means that is connected to a vacuum cleaner and other devices in the house through a remote communication unit 63, and controls the devices. The home control system 6 stores the system information 4 of each device and the remote communication unit 63 from each device. The control information of each device is transmitted based on the identification information received via the device, and the sensor output 521 from each device determines whether the operation of the user 1 is inappropriate. Determining information 23
3 is presented to the user 1 by the explanation output unit 26 to prompt a correct operation.

The remote control section 61 is means for grasping the status of equipment such as the vacuum cleaner 5 and remotely controlling the operation thereof. The operation of the remote control unit 61 is similar to that of the VCR control unit 22 of the first embodiment, and when the identification information 511 is received from the cleaner 5, the control information corresponding to the content of the identification information 511 from the system information storage unit 23 (this In the example, the cleaner control information 235) and the control condition (in this example, the cleaner control condition 236) are taken out,
The sensor output 521 obtained from the vacuum cleaner function unit 52 via the remote communication unit 63 is compared with the previous vacuum cleaner control condition 236 to determine whether or not the operation of the user 1 is inappropriate, and also the vacuum cleaner. The control information 235 is output to the cleaner 5 via the remote communication unit 63.

The remote device management section 62 is means for taking out, from the system information storage section 23, the explanation information corresponding to the contents when the operation or the operation of the equipment such as the vacuum cleaner 5 is inappropriate. The operation of the remote device management unit 62 is also the VC of the first embodiment.
Similar to the R device management unit 25, when the identification information 511 is received from the remote control unit 61, the explanation information 233 describing the correct handling method of the device is retrieved from the system information storage unit 23 according to the identification information 511, and the explanation output unit 26 Output to.

The remote communication section 63 is means for communicating with the remote communication section 53 of each device such as the vacuum cleaner 5 via the network, and receives the identification information 511 and the sensor output 521 with each device, The control information 235 (vacuum cleaner control information 235 in this example) is transmitted to the device via the network.

The operation of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment shows an example in which the present invention is carried out in a device such as a vacuum cleaner which is not generally structured to provide information by characters or images to the user. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the user 1 tries to use the vacuum cleaner 5 without wearing the filter 7 at the place where the filter 7 should be mounted.

When the user 1 performs an operation for starting the cleaner 5 with the cleaner operating section 51, the cleaner operating section 51 outputs identification information 511 indicating the start. Further, the cleaner function unit 52 outputs a sensor output 521 indicating the state of each part of the cleaner 5. The identification information 511 and the sensor output 521 are transmitted to the remote communication unit 63 of the home control system 6 via the network via the remote communication unit 53.

Remote communication section 63 of home control system 6
Outputs the identification information 511 to the remote control unit 61. The remote control unit 61 uses the received identification information 511 to clean the vacuum cleaner control information 23 described in the system information 4 from the system information storage unit 23 like the VCR control unit 22 of the first embodiment.
5 and the vacuum cleaner control condition 236 are taken out. Remote control unit 61
Is the sensor output 521 received via the remote communication unit 63.
Is compared with the vacuum cleaner control condition 236. In this example,
Since the filter 7 is not attached as assumed above, this comparison detects that the filter is not attached. As a result, the identification information 511 indicating that the filter is not attached is transmitted to the remote device management unit 62. The remote device management unit 62 extracts the explanation information 233 for prompting the user 1 to attach the filter 7 from the system information 4 based on the identification information 511 indicating whether or not the filter is attached, and outputs the explanation information 233. It is transmitted to the unit 26. Then, the explanation output unit 26 presents the explanation information 233 to the user 1 and prompts an appropriate response.

Even in a device which does not have a proper function of providing explanation information to the user as in this embodiment, if there is a home control system connected by the network as described above, Similar to the VCR, the user can quickly and correctly know how to handle even if the device is used incorrectly.

As shown in FIG. 9, the home control system 6 is provided with a network transmission / reception unit 64 for communicating with the external network 8.
By obtaining the update information 81, which is information for updating the system information 4 from the network 8 via the network 4, and outputting this to the system information storage unit 23, the connection is established via the remote communication unit 63. It is possible to constantly update the control information and explanation information for various devices in the home.

A configuration example of a home network using the home control system 6 shown in FIG. 9 will be described with reference to FIG. The home control system 6 provided in the house includes a cassette recorder 2, a vacuum cleaner 5, a microwave oven 9, and a mobile phone 10.
Etc. are connected to form a home network. On the other hand, outside the house, a host device 110, a host device 111, and a host device 112 for the home control system 6 prepared by the manufacturer A, the manufacturer B, or the manufacturer C are connected via the network 8. These host devices store the latest system information for the devices used by the user 1 at home, and the home control system 6 can communicate with them in a timely manner to acquire the update information 81. Has become.

That is, in this embodiment, the guidance-provided device displays the explanation information 233 or the countermeasure information 414 on the display function (description output section) 26 of the external device (home control system) 6 that remotely operates the guidance-provided device. It has a function of outputting each of the above-mentioned information to an external device (vacuum cleaner) 5 that is remotely operated so that the information can be presented to the user.

Information such as identification information and sensor output is sent from the home control system 6 to the host devices 110, 1 of the respective manufacturers.
By appropriately transmitting the information to 11, 112, the host device of each maker stores explanation information based on various daily complaints and questions from users. By constructing, it becomes possible to provide the optimum explanation information 233 when the user 1 performs the wrong operation 11.

<Fourth Embodiment> An outline of the configuration of a device with guidance according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, assuming that a video cassette recorder (VCR) is used as the device, when the user 1 operates the VCR 2, if the operation is determined to be inappropriate, the explanation output unit 26 is provided with explanation information of each function. Is displayed and the user 1 selects a keyword included in the description,
It shows an example in which the function of the video cassette recorder indicated by the keyword operates. In the figure,
The same parts as those in the previous embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted to avoid duplication.

As shown in FIG. 11, the VCR of this embodiment is
2 is characterized in that a VCR input unit 27 is added. The VCR input unit 27 is used for the user 1 to select a later-described keyword included in the explanation information 233 displayed on the explanation output unit 26 by the operation 12, and which keyword is selected when the keyword is selected. The selection information 271 indicating whether or not it is output to the VCR device management unit 25.
The VCR device management information 25 has the same function as in FIG.
And the keyword included in the explanation information 233 is searched by the received selection information 271, and the identification information 251 corresponding to this keyword is output to the VCR control unit 22. Also V
The CR control unit 22 sends the identification information 251 to the VCR operation unit 21.
It has a function of handling the same as the identification information 211 received from.

In FIG. 12, when the video tape 3 is not inserted in the VCR function section 24 and the user 1 who does not notice this attempts the reproduction operation by repeatedly operating the reproduction button, the video tape 3 The following is an example of a display in which the explanation output unit 26 performs a display explaining the insertion and the operation method. In this display example, the underlined part indicates that it is a keyword.
It can be selected from the R input unit 27.

A configuration example of the reproduction explanation information 413 described in the reproduction information 41 in the system information 4 shown in FIG. 4 or 7 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the reproduction explanation information 413 includes explanation data 4131 and keyword data 4132. Further, the keyword data 4132 shows the correspondence between the keywords included in the explanation data 4131 and the identification information. In this embodiment, the keyword data 4132 indicates that the keyword “playback button” corresponds to the identification information “PLAY” and the “takeout button” corresponds to “EJECT”.

The operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11, 12 and 13. In this embodiment, the user 1 has performed the operation 11 for reproducing the video tape 3, but the insertion of the video tape 3 is incomplete and the reproduction control condition is not satisfied. As a result, the VCR device management unit 25 It is assumed that the user receives the explanation information 233 and presents it to the user 1 by the explanation output unit 26 as shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, in the above state, the user 1 receives from the VCR input section 27 the "take-out button" or the "playback button" underlined in FIG.
When is selected, selection information 271 indicating which keyword has been selected is output to the VCR device management unit 25. When the user 1 selects the “take out button”, the VCR device management unit 25 which receives the selection information 271 for selecting the take out button selects the selection information from the explanation information 233 (reproduction explanation information 413 in this example because the reproduction operation is being performed). The keyword is searched by 271 to detect that the identification information is “EJECT”, and “EJECT” is output to the VCR control unit 22 as the identification information 251. Identification information "EJECT"
The VCR control unit 22 that has received the VCR control unit 22 retrieves the VCR control information 231 corresponding to “EJECT” from the system information storage unit 23, and the VCR function unit 2 via the VCR control unit 22.
4 is input. VCR function unit 24 receiving this information
The cassette eject function operates, and as a result, the cassette tape is ejected from the cassette tape insertion slot.

When the user 1 inserts the cassette tape into the cassette tape insertion slot again according to the display and selects the keyword "play button", the selection information 271 for selecting the play button is sent to the VCR device management section 25. To be
The VCR device management unit 25 selects the selection information 27 from the explanation information 233 (reproduction explanation information 413 because a reproduction operation is being performed in this example).
By searching for the keyword with 1, the identification information is "P
"LAY" is detected, and "PLAY" is output to the VCR control unit 22 as the identification information 251. The VCR control unit 22 that has received the identification information “PLAY” is the VC corresponding to “PLAY”, as described in FIG.
The R control information is retrieved from the system information storage unit 23 and is input to the VCR function unit 24 via the VCR control unit 22, whereby the reproduction function operates, and as a result, reproduction is performed.

That is, the device with guidance of this embodiment has a function of interpreting the keyword by the device management unit 25 that extracts the explanation information 233 or the countermeasure information from the system information 4 having the structure shown in FIG. When the unit 25 displays the information 233 including the keyword on the display unit 26, the guidance-equipped device has an input function (VCR input unit) 27 that allows the user to select the keyword, and the device management unit 25 further The keyword selected by the input function 27 is selected by the user by also having a function of extracting the identification information 251 corresponding to the keyword based on the interpretation and a function of outputting the extracted identification information 251 to the control unit 22. If the operation does not work due to improper operation or equipment failure, the user can deal with these situations. Is displayed in the description display unit 26 including the keyword to sea urchin, the user selects the keyword displayed from the input function 27 in order to deal with,
The identification information 251 corresponding to the selected keyword is input to the control unit 22, the identification information 251 is treated in the same manner as the identification information 251 output from the selection unit 27 by the selection operation of the user, and the device corresponding to the keyword Is configured to work.

By performing the processing as in this embodiment, the user 1 performs the operation indicated by the explanation information 233 by V
Since it is not necessary to perform the operation from the CR operation unit 21, it is not necessary to perform the complicated work of operating the VCR operation unit 21 while understanding the explanation information.

[0080]

As described above, according to the present invention, even if the user mishandles each device, the device can present the correct usage method for this operation to the user.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an outline of a configuration of a device with guidance according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an operation unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of system information used in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display of explanation information in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an outline of a configuration of a device with guidance according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of system information used in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an outline of a configuration of a device with guidance according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a supplementary explanatory diagram when the third embodiment of the present invention is adapted to a network.

FIG. 10 is a supplementary explanatory diagram when the third embodiment of the present invention is adapted to a network.

FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an outline of a configuration of a device with guidance according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display of explanation information according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a view for explaining the configuration of system information used in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 user 2 video cassette recorder 3 videotapes 4 System information 5 vacuum cleaner 6 Home control system 7 filters 8 networks 9 microwave oven 10 mobile phones 11 operations 21 VCR operation unit 22 VCR controller 23 System Information Storage 24 VCR function section 25 VCR equipment management section 26 Explanation output section 27 VCR input section 51 Vacuum cleaner operation part 52 Vacuum cleaner function part 53 Remote Communication Department 61 Remote control unit 62 Remote Equipment Management Department 63 Remote Communication Department 64 network transceiver 81 Update information 110,111,112 Host device 211 identification information 212 Operation panel 213 Operation control unit 214 Play button 215 Record button 216 Pause button 221 Information Search Department 222 Condition determination unit 223 Error count determination unit 224 Error information 225 alarm sound 226 Failure information 231 VCR control information 232 VCR control conditions 233 Description information 234 Countermeasure information 235 Vacuum cleaner control information 236 Vacuum cleaner control conditions 241 sensor output 251 identification information 271 selection information 511 identification information 521 sensor output

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Hiromichi Ito             292 Yoshida-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa             Ceremony Hitachi Digital Media Development Book             Department F-term (reference) 5C018 FA03 FB01                 5E501 AA19 BA02 CA02 FA43

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. Control information for operating a function of a device, condition information describing a precondition for control by the control information, explanation information for correctly handling a function of the device, and the control information. And a structure of system information comprising identification information associated with the explanation information in a data description language. 2. A control unit for controlling a function of a device, comprising:
The function of receiving the identification information corresponding to the function of the device from the outside, the control information for controlling the function of the device from the outside based on the identification information, and the preconditions for performing the control by the control information are shown. By having a function of capturing condition information, a function of detecting that control by the control information is inappropriate based on the condition information, and a function of recording the number of times the inappropriate control is performed, When the cumulative number of the same inappropriate control reaches a certain number of times or more, or when the same inappropriate control is continuously detected a certain number of times or more, the identification information used to capture the control information A control unit having a function of outputting a signal to the outside. 3. A storage unit for storing system information having the structure according to claim 1, a control unit according to claim 2, and a device function unit which is controlled by the control unit and provides various functions to a user. A function for the user to select various functions of the device function section, an operation section that generates identification information corresponding to the function when the selection is performed, and the identification information by receiving the identification information from the control section And a display unit for presenting the explanation information extracted by the device management unit to the user, the device management unit extracting the description information corresponding to Selection operation, the identification information corresponding to the selected function is input to the control unit by the operation, and the control unit captures the control information corresponding to the input identification information from the system information. When controlling the device function unit by the control information, the control unit detects that the control is inappropriate based on the condition information fetched at the same time as the control information is fetched, a cumulative number of times or more. Or, when it is detected a certain number of times or more continuously, the control to the device function unit is stopped in order to prevent damage due to the user's operation, performance degradation, increase in power consumption, etc. By outputting to the device management unit, the device management unit automatically extracts the description information corresponding to the identification information from the system information, and presenting the description information on the display unit,
A device with guidance, which notifies the user that an inappropriate operation has been performed and presents a correct operation method. 4. The number of times improper control is performed is recorded,
When the number of times reaches a certain number of times or the same improper control continuously reaches a certain number of times or more, the function of outputting the identification information used for taking in the control information to the outside has a learning function. The control unit according to claim 2, wherein the learning function changes a threshold value of the number of times until the error is detected, according to a time period after starting to use the function of the device by the learning function and a usage frequency. 5. The threshold value of the learning function has a smaller value as it is a function of the device that has just started to be used, and the threshold value increases as the frequency of use of the function of the same device increases. The control unit according to claim 4, wherein the control unit changes. 6. If power is supplied to at least the control unit and the operation unit, it is possible that the user has performed an inappropriate operation even before the user starts the device by a normal operation. When the control unit fetches the inappropriate control information so that the user can be notified, the control unit detects that the control is inappropriate and automatically performs a control corresponding to a normal start operation, and further informs the user. The device with guidance according to claim 3, having a function of presenting a correct operation method on the display unit. 7. Control information for operating a function of a device, identification information associated with the control information in a data description language, and countermeasure information for explaining a handling method when the function of the device fails. Structure of system information characterized by being composed of failure information associated with countermeasure information in a data description language. 8. A control unit for controlling the function of the device,
The function of receiving the identification information corresponding to the function of the device from the outside, the control information for controlling the function of the device from the outside based on the identification information, and the preconditions for performing the control by the control information are shown. A function of receiving condition information, a function of receiving sensor information from the outside, comparing the sensor information with the condition information, and determining that control by the control information is not normally performed due to a device failure, A control unit having a function of outputting failure information indicating a failure to the outside. 9. A storage unit for storing system information having the structure according to claim 7, a control unit according to claim 8, and a device function unit which is controlled by the control unit and provides various functions to a user. A function for the user to select various functions of the device function section, an operation section that generates identification information corresponding to the function when the selection is performed, and the failure information received from the control section and written in the information. A device management unit that extracts the corresponding countermeasure information from the system information and a display unit that presents the retrieved countermeasure information to the user, and the user selects the function of the device from the operation unit. Then, the identification information corresponding to the selected function is input to the control unit by the operation, and the control unit acquires the control information and the condition information corresponding to the input identification information from the system information. If the control unit determines from the sensor information and the condition information that the control according to the control information is not normally performed due to the device failure when controlling the device function unit according to the control information, the device due to the failure is detected. In order to prevent damage to the equipment, deterioration of performance, increase in power consumption, etc., control of the device function unit is stopped, and the failure information is output to the device management unit, and the device management unit automatically detects the failure. A device with guidance, characterized in that the countermeasure information corresponding to the information is taken out from the system information, and the countermeasure information is presented on the display unit to prompt the user to take appropriate measures against the failure. 10. The information is output to an external device to be remotely operated so that the explanation information or the countermeasure information can be presented to a user by a display function of an external device to remotely operate the device with guidance. The device with guidance according to claim 3, 6 or 9, wherein the device with guidance has a function to perform. 11. The description information or the countermeasure information, wherein the description indicating the function of the device is treated as a keyword, and the keyword and the identification information are associated by a data description language. Structure of system information described in. 12. The device management unit, which extracts the explanation information or the countermeasure information from the system information having the structure according to claim 11, has a function of interpreting the keyword,
Further, when the device management unit displays information including the keyword on the display unit, the guidance-equipped device has an input function that allows a user to select the keyword, and the device management unit further includes the input function. With the function of extracting the identification information corresponding to the keyword based on the interpretation from the keyword selected in step 1 and the function of outputting the extracted identification information to the control unit, the operation selected by the user is not performed. When it does not work properly or due to equipment failure, a description including the keyword is displayed on the display unit so that the user can deal with these situations, and the user can use the input function to deal with the situation. When the displayed keyword is selected, identification information corresponding to the keyword is input to the control unit, and the identification information is used. 10. The function of the device corresponding to the keyword is operated by being handled in the same manner as the identification information output from the selection unit by a person's selection operation. A device with guidance as described in paragraph 1.